Cornwall man found guilty of nine counts of animal cruelty

IMMEDIATE RELEASE -Cornwall, ON (February 28, 2017) – A 24-year-old Cornwall man has been found guilty of nine counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act as a result of an investigation into two dogs confined to a shed.

On October 29, 2016, the Ontario SPCA received a call about two dogs locked in an 8’ x 8’ garden shed on a property in Cornwall. An Ontario SPCA officer visited the property and, after unsuccessful attempts to locate the owner of the dogs, removed a Pug and Boxer-type dog living in unacceptable conditions without food or water. The shed was cluttered with junk and debris, with feces and urine covering the floor. With no windows, the dogs were kept in total darkness. They had no place to rest or lie down and had no fresh air due to the structure’s inadequate ventilation.

Brad Stephenson, 24, was found guilty on February 22, 2017 in a Cornwall Provincial Offences Court of nine counts of animal cruelty:

Once count of causing distress to an animal

One count of permitting an animal to be in distress

Seven counts of failing to comply with prescribed standards of care

Stephenson, who was not present during sentencing, received a 10-year prohibition from owning or caring for any animal, and was fined $900.

Both dogs have since been rehomed.

“There are no excuses for failing to care for your animals,” says Steve Toy, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for your animals, please contact your local animal centre or humane society to discuss your options.”

Since 1919, when Ontario's first Animal Welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce Animal Welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA Agents and Inspectors with police powers to do so.